BARKLEY BLASTS LAKERS’ BRONNY STRATEGY

Charles Barkley has joined the growing number of critics unhappy with the Los Angeles Lakers’ management of Bronny James this season.

Bronny’s selection by the Lakers in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft to play alongside his father, LeBron James, was widely anticipated. Many fathers in LeBron’s position would likely make the same decision. However, the frustration with the Lakers using a draft pick on Bronny, who had an unremarkable season at USC, is evident. While signing him to the roster might have been understandable, drafting him in the second round was questionable.

The moment Bronny and LeBron shared the court as the first father-son duo in an NBA game was special, and even Barkley acknowledges that. But since then, the preferential treatment has been excessive.

“They’ve handled it terribly,” Barkley said on ‘The Bettor Angle’ podcast. “The ceremony for his first game was nice, but the kid is not ready for the NBA. He should be in the G League, where he can actually play basketball and improve. Sitting on the bench won’t help him get better.”

Barkley emphasized that Bronny needs playing time to develop, and the G League is the right place for that. Currently, Bronny is playing with the South Bay Lakers in the G League, but only during home games. He then joins the NBA Lakers, where he mostly sits on the bench, occasionally getting a few minutes in blowout situations.

Charles Barkley doesn’t think the Lakers are doing Bronny James any favors. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images. espn.

Barkley, like many others, finds this approach baffling.

“This idea of him only playing home games is ridiculous. It’s unfair to him and the team,” Barkley said. “Imagine being the coach and having a player who disappears for road trips and then suddenly reappears. It’s not beneficial for anyone.”

Barkley believes this situation reflects poorly on both the Lakers and LeBron.

“It’s a bad look for the Lakers. I respect everything LeBron has done, but this is not a good look for him,” Barkley added.

Bronny has played in five of the Lakers’ 16 games this season, never exceeding five minutes of playtime in any game. The Lakers had a strong start with a six-game winning streak earlier this month but have lost their last two games, bringing their record to 10-6 for the season.

Proper training and development are crucial for any professional player, and Bronny’s situation highlights the importance of a well-structured training process. Young players need consistent playing time and opportunities to grow, which is essential for their long-term success in the league.

Main image: Bronny James in an NBA Summer League game against the Sacramento Kings. (Nic Coury / Associated Press)